Mission and history

The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, with 2,000 member businesses, is the premier business association in Tarrant County, and the second-largest chamber in the DFW region. Through B2B marketing, informational events, business recruitment and retention, workforce development and government advocacy, the Chamber’s mission is to promote the interests of its members by assuming a leadership role in making Fort Worth an excellent place in which to live, work and do business.

The Fort Worth Chamber is a 501(c) 6 membership organization funded through membership dues and other private investments, sponsorships, and event ticket and publication sales.

History

In 1882, a group of businessmen gathered to discuss the promotion of business development and the interests of the local business community. What began as the Fort Worth Board of Trade then eventually became the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.

In the early days, efforts included bringing the Texas & Pacific and the Santa Fe railroads to town. In 1896, the Chamber sponsored the first Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show, still one of the city's biggest attractions.

In its 132-year history, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce has had a hand in just about every major business development to occur in the city. From attracting packing companies in the early days to persuading TCU to relocate here, to organizing trade missions to China and Spain in recent years, the Chamber’s reach is still being felt.

Recent chamber initiatives have included programs geared toward young professionals and businesswomen, global and regional business pitches, and legislative efforts that focus on critical livability issues such as education, air quality, water sources and transportation.

The Chamber is a 501(c)6 membership association with 2,000 member businesses throughout North Texas (mostly in Tarrant County) and more than 5,000 individuals who participate in events, committees or leadership positions. More than 80 percent are small business owners, and about 30 percent women-owned.

The Chamber’s core business functions are to recruit and to retain business, to work with educational institutions to provide a skilled, educated workforce, and to provide resources for our membership of business owners and employees.